Spoken by Permission 1 Corinthians 7:6

Paul the apostle told the husband and wife church members in Corinth not to “defraud” each other “except it be with consent for a time, that” they “may give” themselves “to fasting and prayer”. They were to “come together again, that Satan tempt” them “not for” their “incontinence”, and in chapter seven and verse six of First Corinthians, Paul told the husbands and wives among the church members to, “render due benevolence” where we read:

But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

The verse begins, “But I speak this by permission,...” Paul began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “I speak this” which means “Paul uttered, declared and proclaimed what he wrote”“by permission” or “down from, throughout, according to and toward pardon and indulgence”. Paul shared with the married church members concerning the “marriage” relationship “by way of pardon and indulgence”.

The verse goes on to say, “...and not of commandment.” Paul continued with the words, “and not” which means “and neither” “of commandment” or “down from, throughout, according to and toward injunction, mandate or decree”. Paul was not sharing out of an “injunction or decree” concerning this aspect of marriage.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we discover how Paul was inspired to write his comments concerning the marriage relationship. He was careful to share how he was not “commanded” to declare these things, but nonetheless gave godly advice to the “husband and wives” within the church. Jesus Christ came to save people from their sins, and when they receive Him as “Savior and Lord” they become a part of the body of Christ, His bride, and the “marriage” relationship is a “symbol” of Christ and His church. Paul's words are “scripture”, and God purposed for his instructions to be in the Bible. All who read Paul's words should take heed whether they were written by “permission” or “commandment”.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “I would that all men were even as I myself”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.